GSIS studies possibility of providing calamity loans in Cebu province

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is currently studying the possibility of offering emergency or calamity loans to government employees in Cebu province.

This is in response to the clamor of GSIS members following the declaration of state of calamity by the Cebu Provincial Government as a result of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

“We have been receiving calls (about this). Some come here just to inquire even if they come here from faraway places, ” said lawyer Mercedes Enriquez,  branch manager of GSIS-Cebu.

Enriquez said they have informed the GSIS board about Cebu province being placed under a state of calamity.

She said they are just waiting for the board’s approval before they can grant calamity loans to their members.

“It’s now in Manila, in our board for study, for approval. (They are studying) not only the validity of this but also for the budget,” she added.

Once approved, she said they will be sending advisories to all government agencies to disseminate the information.

GSIS pensioners with pension loan balance cannot avail of the calamity loan. Those running for public office and those who are coterminous  government employees cannot avail of the loan facility.

“The loan privileges of coterminous government employees and elected officials running for public office are suspended because of the election. They will have this privilege again after the election, ” she said.

Enriquez also urged GSIS members with Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) cards to do their transactions at GSIS Wireless Activated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks because their office will only be accepting transactions for members with no UMID cards and newly-hired government employees.

She said there are around 30 GWAPS kiosks located in all highly urbanized cities, selected cities and municipalities and selected Department of Education (DepEd) division offices in Cebu province. /celr